One found dead under suspicious circumstances
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, September 27 2020: A staunch believer in a particular religious faith was found dead under bizarre and suspicious circumstances at Kyamgei Mamang Leikai, Imphal East district under Irilbung police station.

The deceased has been identified as one Athokpam Naoton (37) s/o Samungou of Kongba Ucheckon Lai Muriba, Imphal East district.

Athokpam Naoton was found dead under suspicious circumstances this afternoon at the courtyard of one Koijam Babudhon alias Panganba Meitei (45) s/o late Nilamani of Kyamgei Mamang Leikai.

Naoton's legs and hands were found tied together and there were marks of strangulation.

According to information culled from the spot, there is a particular religious institution at the home of Koijam Babudhon alias Panganba.

Some staunch believers in the faith including Naoton were staying at the institution.

According to people of the neighbourhood, the believers armed with lethal weapons started fighting with each other this afternoon which led to the death of Naoton.

Family members of Naoton said that he stayed at the religious institution most of the time.

One distant nephew was also staying at the religious institution together with Naoton.

The family members received information that Naoton was thrashed after his legs and hands were tied this afternoon.

Soon after, they were informed that Naoton had died.

However, according to what the local people said, it is suspected that Naoton died in the course of a very risky dogmatic religious experiment.

Driven by a strong 'belief' that Naoton's blood was impure and it would become pure only after he was killed and brought into being again, Naoton was killed.

Naoton too allegedly accepted this belief.

Local people suspected that the inmates of the religious institution started fighting with each other after Naoton could not be brought back alive.

Coupled with registration of an FIR at Irilbung police station, eight persons including Koijam babudhon alias Panganba have been arrested.

Imphal East SP Jogeshchandra Haobijam went to the site of the killing and made a direct assessment of the incident.

After examination of the site of killing by FSL experts, Irilbung police have deposited the body of Naoton at JNIMS mortuary.

Naoton is survived by his wife, a son and a daughter.

Meanwhile, the Khagee Club, Kyamgei has urged the authority concerned to book and punish all the culprits involved in the incident.

Later, the club and local Meira Paibis held a meeting and decided to banish all the people involved in the incident from the locality.

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